From guns to glamour: Former women Maoists walk the ramp in Chhattisgarh
Raipur/IBNS: Far away from weapons and forests, several former women Maoists walked the ramp at a National Handloom Day event in Chhattisgarh's Raipur, reflecting their return to mainstream society, media reports said.
Former Maoists showcase Bastar's handloom heritage
As videos of the event circulated widely on social media, the women from Bastar, dressed in elegant Kosa silk and handwoven garments, enthralled the audience at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium.
#WATCH | Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Former women Naxals, who once carried weapons in the dense forests of Bastar, walked the ramp to huge applause at a National Handloom Day event in Raipur after joining the mainstream. (07.08) https://t.co/BtUfHIUsHs pic.twitter.com/ClHzGcRWp1
— ANI (@ANI) August 13, 2026
Their appearance highlighted Bastar's rich textile heritage while also reflecting their personal journey from insurgency to a new life in the mainstream.
The event was graced by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai among several dignitaries.
Vishnu Deo Sai shared a video of the event on X and wrote, "A new chapter is unfolding in Bastar - one of peace, progress and possibilities. The Bastar of hope, opportunity and aspiration is now taking centre stage.
"Hands that once held weapons are today weaving a new story of dignity, confidence and hope. From violence to opportunity, from fear to freedom - this transformation is the true triumph of peace and development."
A new chapter is unfolding in Bastar - one of peace, progress and possibilities.
— Vishnu Deo Sai (@vishnudsai) August 13, 2026
The Bastar of hope, opportunity and aspiration is now taking centre stage.
Hands that once held weapons are today weaving a new story of dignity, confidence and hope.
From violence to opportunity,… https://t.co/D2th5IRuO1
The video footage shows the former insurgents confidently walking the ramp before an audience of dignitaries, visually underscoring themes of personal transformation, peace and development in a region that has historically been affected by Left-wing Extremism.
Modi government's push against Naxalism
The Narendra Modi government had set an explicit target of making India Naxal-free, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly stating that the government aimed to eliminate Naxalism by March 31, 2026.
The government has significantly weakened the insurgency and brought Naxalism to its lowest levels in decades, although it would be more accurate to describe the situation as a dramatic decline rather than claiming that Naxalism has been completely eliminated.
According to the government's February 2026 figures, eight districts remained affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) at the end of 2025, including three classified as the most affected districts.
The transformation of former insurgents into participants in cultural and economic activities is being projected as part of the broader effort to bring peace, development and opportunities to areas once affected by Maoist violence.
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